A/N: Big trigger warning for District 5.
In memory of the fallen
District 12
-Isabelle Robin, Friend of Melanie-
Her bookshelves were full, but she didn't want to read anymore.
What was the point of reading if she didn't have anyone to talk to about what she read? All of these books just reminded her of Melanie's ghost. She missed her friend so badly. She missed all of the laughter they shared, the good memories they had together. Melanie was her best friend, and they did everything together. Now that Isabelle was alone, well, she just didn't know what to do.
"Isabelle!" Oh no. She quickly threw a book open, drying her cheeks with a blanket that was sitting next to her. She couldn't know…
"Yes Mom?" she asked, her voice having a small wobble in it.
Her mother appeared in the doorway.
"What's wrong honey?" she became soft and stepped into the room.
Isabelle's stomach flipped and she felt a tightness in her throat as she lied. "I just read a really sad scene, sorry."
That got a laugh from the woman, who ruffled her daughter's blonde hair. "Aha. It's certainly wonderful when good literature makes you feel something," she said. Isabelle couldn't answer, feeling terrible for lying on top of her already breaking heart. "Well, I'll go ahead and leave you to it, kiddo."
Isabelle swallowed down more tears and gave a weak nod. She walked out, and Isabelle released a breath, releasing the tightness in her throat by letting more tears escape her eyes. How badly she missed her friend Melanie… And yet, they would never understand.
She got up out of bed to use the restroom, but on her way she passed the calendar on the way, realizing just then that the date for today had been circled in a sharpie marker.
Oh no. It's the funeral. Isabelle wanted to go so badly, but she knew that she would have to sneak out to get there.
She went to the restroom, where she did her hair and make-up to look nice. She dressed in a black top and dark jeans, which she tried to hide behind her coat before she grabbed a book for an excuse went downstairs.
"Where are you going Pumpkin?" asked Dad, giving her a small smile.
"Oh, I was just going to go out to the meadow to read for a while."
"Ah, alright. Just be home before dark." He kissed her head. They couldn't know she was going to the Seam for a funeral. They would laugh at her. They would be astounded. They didn't like that she spent so much time with Melanie because she was poor. It was a terrible and damaging mindset…
She just had to go say goodbye to her. Isabelle took off at a run to not be late, and found the funeral home somewhat easily when she got there. She saw Mrs. Cethin at the doorway, standing to greet people on Melanie's behalf. She enjoyed the tight hug from Melanie's mother. She needed someone to hug, and she was sure that Mrs. Cethin needed it as well.
The other lady greeting people at the door was beautiful. She looked young, but she must have been Bean's mother. She shook Isabelle's hand as she walked into the large funeral home.
It was a sad sight. Melanie's side had a few people peppered around in the seats: most of them older, probably friends of Mrs. Cethin. Bean's side had only one other person in the seats, besides his mother. Isabelle couldn't help but frown.
She went and sat in the back, not wanting anyone to see her there that might sell her out to her parents.
It was a sad day indeed.
~.~.
District 9
-Mallory Heeler, Older Sister of Zuzanna-
No… She had been dreading this day for so damn long. She hoped it would never come. She hoped that she could live the rest of her life without ever having to lose her sister. That was how sisters were supposed to be: she was never supposed to outlive Zu. She was twelve… Mal was three years her senior, she had far more slips in that bowl, and it still wasn't enough to save her.
Should I have volunteered? She should have. It was her job to protect her sister dammit, she couldn't even do that right! She loved her sister, but not enough to go into the Hunger Games. She never dreamed that this would happen. In the moment, she froze up. She couldn't force herself to take her sister's place.
How she wished she could have done it…
Mal would never forget the fate her sister suffered. She would never forget the pain, the cries, the blood everywhere as the girl from District Eight relentlessly continued to hurt her. She watched with her mother, she screamed at the screen, she cried… Mom took Annie for a walk while Mal remained at home alone, worried about her youngest sister. She didn't have to watch what happened to her beloved Zu… She was far too young to handle it. But Mal felt that she was too.
Zu was even younger than Mal. How could she allow her sister to struggle like that? There was nothing she could do but watch. God…
And now, weeks later, she would have to face her again. She didn't feel ready for this… She wasn't ready to be strong like her mother, for Annie's sake… She wasn't ready to face her sister, knowing that this wasn't supposed to happen to their family.
"Mal?"
Annie stood in the doorway, holding her blanket and still in her PJs. Mal's heart melted at seeing her sister. Caring for her was all that Zu would have wanted in her death.
"Come in," she told her sister. Annie came in the room and sat with Mal in her bed.
"I'm not ready," she said, snuggling close to Mal.
"Me neither," Mal said quietly, putting an arm around her. She didn't know how to reassure Annie when she could barely reassure herself…
…The two sisters woke up around the same time, realizing they had dozed off when Mom's voice called them to get ready. Neither of the sisters wanted to go, and Mal signed quietly when she lost Annie's reassuring heat. Both girls got dressed, ate a small breakfast, and together they walked to the funeral home. Mal had never been there before, but she hated it from the moment she stepped in. There was a miserable energy surrounding them.
Blair's family was already there.
"Good afternnon," Mom said politely, coming to where they were standing and giving them all a handshake. Mal didn't want to talk to anyone. She was grieving, and her personality was already timid as it was…
"Oh, hello," said a woman who was sporting a large baby bump. Mal felt awkward as the mothers made small talk, which soon included Blair's oldest sister, Pomona. Blair's father looked gruff and didn't say a word about his child that he'd lost. The only introduction he made was himself, and the baby that was going to be named Triton VI.
"Hey." A pair of twins that looked her age approached. Mal couldn't make eye-contact with them.
"Oh, hello."
"I'm Antor. This is Carmen." Carmon looked just as bleak as Mal, her eyes teary. She looked like she might burst at any moment.
"Hi, I'm Mal. Zu's sister." She glanced at where both of the bodies were laying out. Her stomach flipped and she looked away.
"Antor! Look at those plushy chairs!" called a little voice.
"Coming Vlad." He gave Mal a wave and walked away.
Annie stayed close to Mal as she and Carmen stood in an awkward, sad silence.
"I'm sorry for your loss," Mal finally said.
Carmen sniffled and shook her head. "You know what it's like. You don't need to apologize."
Mal frowned, her eyes filling with tears. She did know.
"Do you want to go look together, to get it over with?"
Mal looked up, knowing she would like to have the support of people that understood. "Yes, please."
Annie stayed with Mom, and the two older sisters went to mourn and grieve together.
~.~.
District 1
-Law Monday, Friend of Neapolitan-
Weeks later, he was still devastated. Every day made it harder and harder to wake up. Knowing that Neapolitan was dead, the one that he loved. But to make it worse, every day his older brother Style came closer and closer to volunteering, believing that he was going to make the District proud… How could he even think that after watching what happened to Neapolitan!?
He watched Style and Gloss spar from across the training center and his heart hit his stomach. They both gave it their all, both of them grinning. When would it stop being fun?
Cheater… Maybe he broke Law's heart… But did he really deserve to burn like that? Why did Zuli have to damn him to that fate? At least the brute that killed him had what was coming to him in the end. Law wasn't sure he'd have been able to face Polly's killer.
He felt stupid for falling for his act, for falling in love with someone who was only playing him… But Law didn't want to watch that happen to him. His eyes fell on the group of girls that Neapolitan had been dating while he was telling Law that he loved him… They had become friends after what happened, as they were grieving and heartbroken. Special, Ribbon, Secret, Palace… They seemed completely recovered, and chatted like old friends as they watched the boys spar. It was as if nothing had happened, as if Neapolitan hadn't even existed… How could things change so quickly?
Style came over, giving his little brother a firm pat on the back. "One more point for Monday," he said.
"Right. Nice…"
"Hey, I'll kick your ass next time," Gloss said indignantly.
"Yeah right."
"Unless District Two kicks his ass first," Law muttered under his breath. He tried to stop himself from being bitter. The boys walked away, chattering and chortling as if they had never had a third to their trio. Life went on for everyone it seemed. Law was bitter and jealous of them all.
His siblings stopped coming into the training academy, at least they seemed to miss their brother.
The only thing that moved the room was the entrance of someone Law didn't immediately recognize. Her sleek style was replaced by a T-shirt with a picture of a book on it and mom jeans. Everyone went quiet as Fantasy Borteli approached Law. Her once slick, straightened hair was curly and messy. Her face was free of make-up.
"Hey," she said to Law.
"Oh, hi," Law said. They had briefly met at the joint funeral.
"Looks like the world is turning again," she commented, and Law gave a slightly bitter nod.
"I know your brother is going to volunteer."
Law took a deep, shaking breath and shook his head. Style was going to get himself killed. And he was just going to leave his brother here like that?!
"I'm still trying to work through the grieving process for Zuli… I wasn't there for her when I should have been because I was pretending to be someone I wasn't, for what? Money?" she sighed. "I want to come back to my roots. So… well, if you ever need a friend… I'm here to work through it with you. I-I can give you my phone number if you like…"
Law smiled a little bit. "Oh. Well, um… Sure. Thanks."
~.~.
District 11
-Maddie Osten, Aunt of Anders-
It was a curse on her household. She had no idea what her family had done to deserve a fate like this. She always thought that she would get a life of happiness. It was looking up… She was engaged to Manuel, she was young and in love… She was planning a wedding for heaven's sake. That was the first tragedy.
Her name was called out on that stage. She still woke up every morning remembering she should have been dead. She should have been the one to go into the Hunger Games, but Krissa wouldn't let her.
What the hell was Krissa thinking? She had such a bright future ahead of her as a teacher. She was so passionate about helping people, mentoring kids… Not killing them. As soon as she volunteered, Maddie knew she wasn't going to come back. Her sister wasn't a killer.
Krissa had died in her place, given her the opportunity to marry Manuel, and it was something that Maddie couldn't possibly return. She thought it would be the last time her family would suffer such devastation.
But lightning struck twice. Donavan was forced to prove his worth to the Capitol, and by some miracle he got out alive. It was the most stressful time of her life. The thought that she might be alone, the only one left of them… It was just too much for Maddie to handle. She spent so many long nights awake at the television trying not to bother or disturb Manuel as he still had to work to put food on their table. He was absolutely indispensable in that time… Maddie had no idea what the hell she would have done without him.
Donavan came home, but he was never the same. He and Maddie became closer afterwards, after realizing how valuable having each other was after having lost Krissa… They started to feel like family again. She had no idea what she would have done if he'd died. She tried not to think about it.
Then Elias came and went. It was devastating for the family, especially for Donavan. Having to mentor his own family member to his death… He felt like he failed. Seeing her brother this way was heartbreaking to Maddie. She was living comfortably because of his Victory, so she was available to support him.
It had been a while since the devil had come for their family. Maddie was finally starting to relax: she absolutely adored being a mother and she was starting to feel happy more often than not. They lived comfortably: they got to watch their children play with toys they never had, and get cake for their birthdays. It was certainly not worth the deep loss they observed: the painful nightmares that plagued Maddie's little brother: but it was some little pockets of happiness.
And now this.
Maddie hated to see her children in such deep pain. But ultimately, now was her time to step up and be there for Manuel. It was his brother John that had lost his son, and he was obviously in pain for his brother. She hated that they had to do this again, but she was ready to support him like he'd done for her so, so many times.
She allowed him some alone time in order to help the kids get ready. They had grown so much, all of them independent enough that they quickly shooed mom out of their rooms to continue getting ready. It was a tense time for all of them.
She got ready with Manuel, and the family sat around the table for a silent breakfast. It was obvious how much Krissa, Andrew, and Pike loved ABC, and were dreading this day. They were too young to deserve this, just like Maddie was.
They were among the first to arrive to the funeral home. John hurried over to Manuel and the two brothers shared a tight embrace, pain etched on both of their faces. Maddie was prepared to stay with her children, but they found their other cousins, Foo and Shaney, and went over to see what they needed. Watching her family interact with them, Maddie's eyes filled with tears. It was a painful day, but she couldn't help but be proud of them. They were handling the grief so beautifully…
Donavan was third to arrive with his family in tow, and the cousins came together to support young Foo and Shaney.
Brialle's parents arrived late: they looked stern and gruff, and radiated a cold aura. Maddie and Manuel tried to be warm them, but it was as if they didn't care about their own daughter… Maddie's heart sunk low in her chest after talking to them. It wasn't fair to this poor little girl.
Later arrived a couple of young teens that had to be friends with Brialle. They talked quietly amongst themselves.
"Are you his mother?" Maddie looked over at the older woman asking her the question.
"Oh no," Maddie said, her heart skipping a beat in horror at the thought of losing any of her children. "I'm Maddie Osten, I'm his aunt."
"Oh. Do you know where his parents are? I just… Wanted to tell them what a commendable young man he was."
"Yes," Maddie said. "His mother passed away, but his father is over there with my husband. I can introduce you if you like. What is your name?"
"Oh of course. I am Tesara Marybelle. I taught Brialle in school. A very intelligent young woman, she was." Her eyes became sad.
"My sister aspired to be a teacher," Maddie said, before she could stop herself. "The Games took her too."
"Oh, that is quite a shame." The woman put a hand on Maddie's shoulder. "I'm sure she would have been a great one."
Maddie gave a silent nod. She knew that Krissa would have been a wonderful teacher… God, she missed her sister. She took a deep breath, putting away her grief. She had to stay strong. "Come with me," she said with a teary smile. "I'll introduce you."
~.~.
District 2
-Charis Spiros, Sister of Nebuchadnezzar-
"Are you ready to go Charis?" Valerian peeked into her room. When he found her sitting on her bed, staring blankly forward, he hesitantly approached.
"I'll be ready in a minute." She was indeed dressed for training: her jumpsuit on, hair clipped back away from her face, tennis shoes hanging off of the bed and beating against the bedframe as she thought.
"We should really get back to it if one of us is going to avenge Nez!" his voice had a determination in it that meant one thing: he had his mind set.
"It doesn't matter," she said quietly. "I'm not going to risk my life that way. So why go?"
The twelve-year-old frowned as if she had muttered a curse. "You can't not go to training!"
"Yes I can." Her face was set now. She had tried going back to the Academy after Nez's death. It was very much back to normal, but there was a strong energy of his presence that would always be missing to Charis. And the people that knew him lingered like ghosts. Horus worked the business side of the Academy and was often doing inspections as he vied for the Headmaster position.
Euron was working as a trainer for hand-to-hand. After watching his ass get beat by Nez so many times, there was no way Charis was going to take his advice seriously, even if it was good. Euron took Lori's death pretty hard, but it drove him deeper into the Academy, to try and train people that wouldn't follow her fate. Valerian loved it, and they had a good relationship now. But Charis couldn't let some guy she didn't care about replace her older brother. Unlike him.
Suddenly, another familiar face appeared in the doorway.
"Hey Chrys," Charis said, trying to offer him a smile.
"Hey, can I see you guys down in the kitchen for a moment?"
"Sure."
"Ok, but I have to get to training so it can't take too long!" Val said, and the three of them headed down to where their parents were already sitting, having breakfast.
"There's the trouble trio," Dad said, smiling, and Duchess even stood up to greet them all, with nose bumps and kisses, happily wagging her tail. Sometimes, Charis saw a distance in her eyes, almost as if she was waiting for him to come back…
"We made a lot, so dig in!"
"Actually, um, I wanted to talk to you all," Chrys said quietly, bringing the attention of the others to him. "Well, um… I've been thinking lately, and I… Well… It's time for me to leave."
No! Charis put a hand over her mouth.
"You have given me so much generosity, and I will always be grateful for it. But I feel that I've learned all that I can learn and I'm ready to go and create my own business somewhere away from here."
Charis squinted at him. His face was filled with pain: he often looked somber after what happened to Nez, but now it was only magnified.
"There are so many memories here that haunt all of us… I can't live with his ghost anymore. But I want to thank you for helping me get back up on my feet after being kicked out. You have become like a family to me, and I will miss you all. It's so hard to leave… But it's right."
Mom spoke first. "Well… I think that's very mature of you."
"I think you're ready," Dad said. "But I have to say, I will miss having an extra pair of hands around."
"Let me become your apprentice." Charis quickly raised her hand. "I want to be a blacksmith too."
Dad looked even more shocked. "Is that really what you want, Sweetie?"
"Yes." Charis stood strong and nodded her head.
"Well, if that's what you want, then I accept you as my apprentice."
Charis grinned, before turning back to Chrys. "Won't you visit often?"
"Of course," he said, and ruffled her hair. Charis threw herself into his arms in a tight embrace. Above her, Chrys sniffled a little bit. "I'll be back before you know it."
Soon the family crowded around to give him hugs and shake his hand.
"Well, I guess we should all get ready for the day: Chrys's last day of work, and Charis's last day of Training."
Despite feeling sad about Chrys leaving, Charis couldn't help but smile a little bit. This was going to be her path, and she was ready to walk it.
~.~.
District 8
-Vance Thayer, Friend of Serena-
He hadn't stopped thinking about her interview since it happened, so long ago.
"You are supposed to serve and love the people that you call your friends… But sometimes I am not sure if the effort is returned."
What had he done? More importantly… What hadn't he done? He had no idea Serena felt that way about her family and friends. She always seemed so… Well, so happy. So chill about everything. She was always content, she always made Vance feel like he was good enough, even when he wasn't. To think that she was harboring such discontent like this…
Vance wanted to know what it was that he didn't provide for her. She obviously didn't want to date him, despite being best friends, she rejected him. Was there something he could have done to keep her from this fate? The thought that her existence on this world was such a miserable one was hard for Vance to swallow. He never would have guessed that she felt this way. He thought that she was always happy with whatever it was they were doing.
But now that he heard it, he could see how she could feel that way. He didn't mean to be, but Vance was a player: constantly jumping back and forth between romantic partners… He thought that Serena would finally end that streak for him, that they might actually be able to settle down together. But from her perspective, she was just another one of the many people he took out and never called back. He didn't do a very good job of telling her just how much he wanted to be with her. He thought that she would just know. But how could he have possibly thought that?
He loved her, but it wasn't enough. He knew that now. There were so many times he could have stepped in to do something for her, and he didn't. He didn't make her feel like a princess like she deserved to.
He knew nothing about her family life: before, he never thought anything of that. But now, he realized there was likely a reason for that.
It made him feel even more nervous going into today. He was dressed in his best, but after watching her parents on the final 8 interview reel, he was afraid of having to talk to them. They didn't seem like particularly kind people.
Watching Serena descend into the kind of person that would do such horrible things to others was painful: but he hoped that it would get her out alive. But to realize that she became as she did due to such deeply held pain… It was horrifying, yes, but it was made even more painful for Vance. She was lashing out on others because she couldn't hold in her own anger and pain at the world anymore. Pain that he caused her, in part.
Vance was ashamed at himself for not noticing it earlier.
"Vance!" Tilly and Taya approached him, holding hands and giving him a cheerful wave.
"Hey," he said, but he couldn't manage a smile. He had no idea how they could.
"How the hell are you? Find a date for the fall dance yet?"
Vance looked away from them. "Not the time," he said quietly.
"Alright then," Taya said, making a face of annoyance at him. "Be that way."
They walked in silence until they reached the building.
Serena's family was standing at the door. Her brother was pale and had dark bags under his eyes that haunted Vance.
"You must be Tilly and Taya," her mother said to the two girls, before her voice turned to disgust. "The lesbians."
"Hell yeah we are!" Tilly said. "Why? Do you have a problem with that?"
Her parents and brother stayed quiet and grim-faced. Vance tried to shoo them along, but a conflict was quickly escalating.
"So you don't mind that we have sex?" Tilly asked tauntingly, as Taya grabbed her and gave her a long kiss.
Vance was horrified. "This is your friend's funeral!" he said, quickly trying to de-escalate the situation.
"We don't share rooms with homophobes like you all," Tilly said. "Come on Taya, let's go."
Just like that, the two of them left Vance alone. The little pair of twins standing with a couple that must have been Sav's parents were quiet, their eyes filled with tears.
Vance kneeled to their height, softening his face.
"Are you okay?" he asked, to which they both shook their heads and moved closer to their parents.
"I'm sorry for your loss," he told them politely, his heart breaking. He went in to find a seat, when he was suddenly pulled backwards.
"You. Are you that he-she that was hitting on my daughter?" her father asked him.
"Yes…" Vance said quietly. "I loved her."
"Yeah, her diary talked all about your creepy advances at her."
Creepy…?
"If only she had come home. Then she would have chosen between her family and the likes of you, once and for all."
"How do you know about me?" Vance asked, suddenly fearing for his own safety.
"Her diary. You know, Carol and I were optimistic when we heard how lovingly she talked about you, how it tore her up to break your heart because she had feelings. But then we realized just how twisted it was."
"When you learned I was trans." Vance was putting the pieces together. She wasn't safe. She wasn't in a place where she could be his. How could she have possibly told him that at the time? He would have been so crushed… "Please, let me say goodbye to her one last time."
"I believe that won't be-"
"Dad!" her little brother suddenly spoke, in a surprisingly powerful voice. "Let him go."
"Walker Merlo, I swear to God-"
"Boys." Carol sighed. "Please. Not here. We will lose face."
"We'll lose face when they see this he-she lusting over our daughter from the grave! What the hell will be legal next?"
"I'll go with him." Walker didn't wait for a response, he took Vance's elbow and took him to where Serena's body lay.
"My sister loved you so much," Walker said, as they stood over the body together.
"You're not safe here," Vance said. "Let me help you."
"I… Can't." He was so helpless. "I won't be here much longer anyways."
"That's enough!" called her father from across the room.
"I'm sorry, that's all I could do."
Vance's eyes filled with tears at the severity of the situation. "Thank you Walker."
"You cannot talk to this young man like this. Can't you see he's grieving!?" came another voice. Sav's father stepped out from his spot and came towards Vance and Walker. "Come with me, gentlemen. There are still some open seats on Sav's side, and we welcome you to them."
"Thank you," Vance breathed, sliding into a seat and feeling like a total outcast.
"Walker Merlo!" called Serena's father. "Come back here right now!"
Walker kept his head down and didn't move.
"I'm going to sit right here with you two. The service is starting soon." He ushered the twins to sit next to him, and kept his word.
Vance didn't care so much about himself… But now, he knew that he had to keep Serena's brother from suffering the same fate she had.
I'll keep him safe, he thought up to her, as the proceedings began. It was really the least he could do.
~.~.
District 4
-Nixie Devorick, Friend of Ott-
By all means, it should have been a beautiful day. The sun was warm, the ocean breeze was just right. But for Nixie, it was an ugly day. A day she had been dreading.
She sat up on her bed and picked up the picture of them together that was sitting on her nightstand. How young they both were… They had been friends for so many years. Images flashed before her eyes of the good times they had together: his terrible dolphin impersonations, when their families took them out to the ocean together, stopping by the candy shop on the way home. Her eyes stung with the anticipation of many tears to come. She had to bide her emotions.
The memories had once made her laugh, but not today.
She got out of bed. She put on the black dress and sweater that her mother had set out for her to wear. Her mother came in and helped her put up her hair. She put the pin in the shape of a jellyfish on Nixie's chest. It was a somber breakfast, a long hour before they had to leave to make it to the venue. Nixie, who was once so boisterous, didn't say a word.
They took their time on the walk over. The sun heated up their black clothes quickly, as if to taunt her. They arrived with other groups of people to the small funeral home.
The families were standing in the doorway: Ott's on the left and Garrett's on the right. Miss Caitlyn gave Nixie a tight hug, and so did Mr. Darwin, who always made them laugh so much. On the other side of the room was Garrett's mother and father, and a beautiful young woman who was only slightly older than Nixie herself. They had a break in people, so she stood awkwardly, her hands behind her back, obviously trying hard not to cry.
She caught Nixie staring at her and quickly turned away, hiding her face in her hands. Nixie blushed as she looked away before following her parents to find seats.
"Nixie!" Vireo came over quickly, away from his parents. Nixie collapsed into his arms. Her silly crush on him didn't even matter, she just needed his support so badly. Neither was crying yet, but both were hugging tightly. He had such a warm and comforting embrace… They didn't need to talk to each other because they already knew what would be said.
"Hey guys…" came a quiet voice that ended the embrace far too early. Vireo gave Riley a tight hug, and Nixie looked at Ada sadly.
"How are you?" she asked.
The thirteen-year-old let out a whimper and simply shook her head in response. Nixie gave her a hug, trying to be steady and support the youngest of the group.
Once embraces were shared around the group, they all chose seats next to each other. Nixie was glad that her parents were here, but right now she needed her friends.
~.~.
District 6
-Nat Aerglo, Sister of Klaus-
Nat never thought she would say it, now she understood her parents. It didn't excuse them for what they did, but she understood them. When you live a tortured life, an escape from it seems like an elixir. In a world where of misery, they seemed like a golden ticket. To a place where that didn't matter anymore and they could just exist and be, well, happy. Any moment of happiness was deeply coveted.
Now that she was alone, there were plenty of reasons for Nat to want a free taste of happiness. A free vacation away from worrying about money and feeling sick over her brother. Drugs could be anything you wanted them to be: your friend, your dreams, your happiness… And right now, Nat needed all of those things.
But while she understood them, she could never forgive them. She had seen the terrible things drugs did to people first-hand. She lived it. She grew up with it. She grew up with skeletons for parents, and she had missed so many opportunities because of it. She couldn't live a normal life, she and Klaus had to run away from them, try to make something out of their lives that was separate from that.
She could understand the temptation, but she would never forgive them. They had a family. They had happiness right in front of them, and they still chose to invest it all into their next fix. Sometimes, Nat still wonders why. Were she and Klaus not good enough for them? What could they have done to be better children, what could they have done to keep their parents away from needing drugs? But deep in her heart, she knew that there was nothing they could have done. Once you take your first fix, you're loyally devoted for life, like a marriage. There was no getting out of it once it began.
That's why she would never begin it. There was just way too much to lose.
Today the temptation was stronger than any other day. It was probably the hardest day she had to face since losing Klaus. He went out way too early. If only the Careers had their gaze fixed somewhere, anywhere else… He could have made it all the way. And now, he would forever be another face, another ghost, another person with nobody left to remember him, in a matter of only a few years.
The funeral was by far the worst day of her life. Seeing her brother's dead body laying there, after everything they'd gone through together… Having to greet dozens of strangers, while wishing they would stop coming so she could be alone and wishing that more would come to honor her brother's memory.
Seeing Sydney, his best friend, who was usually just as stoic as Klaus, breaking down in her chair… Seeing the bloodshot eyes and sluggish gait she recognized so well in his boyfriend Arun. Klaus had expressed to her his anxiety about Arun getting hooked on something, and now his fears had come true. Knowing it was just too hard for Nat to handle, but she had to stay strong as his older sister.
She talked briefly to Healy's "possible older brother," as he called it. He was adopted as a child, but the resemblance to Healy was uncanny, even from how Nat remembered her. He talked fondly of her, but there was the pain of an older sibling in his eyes. Nat knew because she felt it in her heart. She also met Alfa, Healy's official caretaker, who was nice yet somewhat paranoid.
It was a nice service, but she wasn't ready to say goodbye. She wasn't ready to be strong. She was only twenty-four, that wasn't nearly old enough to lose her brother…
People came over to her when the service was over to touch her shoulder and tell her goodbye, but Nat was over it. She needed to get out of there. As soon as the last person left, Nat's feet instinctually took her to a place she knew she shouldn't be going.
She walked in and took a seat at the bar. Drinking wasn't something she usually did, but after all the damn pain she'd been through, she could have a couple drinks.
"Hey there."
A voice made her look up, immediately getting defensive.
"Woah there, don't get the wrong idea here." She stared into a pair of bright blue eyes accompanied with a charming smile.
"Either buy me a sunset rum or get lost," she said.
"Well, if you say so." He raised his hand and called for the bartender, much to Nat's surprise and slight indignation being a strong independent woman.
"Duke Jansing. Pleasure to make your acquaintance."
~.~.
District 5
-Felix MacBeth, Brother of Abigail-
He was devastated. It had all come crashing down so quickly…
He thought he could hide the secret from her forever. She was so happy without knowing. She was so content to just be his little sister, and he was content to raise her. He really thought that it would never have to come out who she really was. He thought that their stupid parents would never be able to touch them again. He really thought that they could just be happy.
He did everything to keep her from the legal building. He worked his ass off so she didn't have to take tesserae. He moved time and time again, trying to escape the authorities. Any time he even heard that someone had a question about who they were. He really thought that she looked different enough that nobody would know.
He really thought she would never be reaped.
And now, he had hit rock bottom. He couldn't sit still, he was pacing. He was terrified.
"Python?"
The familiar voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Sorry."
"You have a strong defense. They can't take you to prison… they won't."
Python smiled slightly and shook his head. "Yeah, well I thought they would never take my Turtle from me either. But they did."
Gaylen frowned and gently reached over to take his hand. "You can make this case. You can get them put in prison."
Python sighed and shook his head. "I can't argue my way out of a paper bag," he sighed.
"Well, you have me. And I'm going to help. Just… Tell them the full truth on the stand."
He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. "I can't," he said quietly.
"You can. And you will. Just look at me when you need to, I'll be here."
"You do clean up nice," Python said, pulling his boyfriend close. Gaylen laughed as his forehead was kissed.
"Thanks, so do you. But look at the time. We have to go." Python gave a nod, swallowing nervously, as they walked to court together.
"Mr. Python!" the familiar voice made him turn around. May hurried over to them. "Hi!"
"Well, long time no see, little lady." He quirked a smile as May pouted.
"I was just in this part of town and I wanted to drop by." Her eyes suddenly lit up. "You guys are getting married?! Wait, why wasn't I invited?!" she suddenly put her hands on her hips indignantly.
"We're not getting married, we're on our way to court," Python said, nerves coming back to his stomach. "It's time to win justice."
"Oh. Well you can't be late for that. …good luck."
"Thanks." Python waved and together, they went to the courthouse. His parents were there: his 12-year-old brother nervously waiting to take the stand. He didn't look at them.
The hearing seemed to pass in a blur. The judge, the testimony of both of the people that ruined his life. They accused him of stealing their pride and joy, shouting, crying, and talking about the deep emotional damage he's caused them. Bullshit. And before he knew it, it was his turn to take the stand.
"Mr. Macbeth, please explain to the court why you kidnapped your younger sister, Abigail Angelina Macbeth."
He felt the eyes of everyone on him, staring him down, judgmentally, as if he was the scum of the earth. It sent him back, all the way back, to his school days. His first reaping.
"People of the court…" his throat suddenly felt dry. "I took Tur- Abigail… Because I didn't have a choice. These people you see in front of you are have left the true story out of their testimonies. How convenient. The truth was that I was trapped." His eyes filled with tears at the smug faces of the adults on the other side, thinking that they've already won. "It was a household of… Abuse." Feelings of embarrassment and shame rushed back into him, feelings that he'd put away a long time ago.
"I grew up being yelled at. From the time I was born until the time I ran away. I was yelled at, punched, beaten. I lived in fear of these people that had so much power over me. I tried to tell adults: teachers, mentors, babysitters… But they didn't listen, because these people have what I didn't: money, and power. My head was smashed into the sink when I misbehaved. I was called a monster, evil, and other words that I won't say here in court." A stray tear escaped his eye and splashed onto the paper beneath him. He hurriedly looked to find Gaylen in the crowd. "I was sexually abused by my father's friends. I was being groomed from a young age." He swallowed hard, looking at the words to say, but they were blurred by the tears in his eyes.
"They had another baby: my sister, Abigail. They adored her. They loved her. Their abuse only became worse to me. I was glad that my sister could have a life that was better than mine. Then I walked in on the man in front of you, Luke Macbeth, touching my sister on the changing table!" A great boom echoed around the room as he smacked the table with his fist.
"Objection! That's a lie!" Luke said, standing up at his table.
"You are in court!" Python yelled back, booming on the microphone and sending a stunned silence throughout the crowd as the judge had to call for order. "So I took her. I took her and I never looked back. I never felt sorry. I never wanted them to be able to hurt her again." Bitter tears squeezed out of his eyes as he looked at the people that could save him, and his brother. "If I had to do it again… I would. I would take every single child from these monsters that broke me beyond repair. I would take every single offspring of these people that made my life a living hell, the people that turned into monsters that still live in my head to this day, and I'm Twenty. Six." He took a shaking breath.
"Do you have evidence of this alleged abuse?"
Evidence? "…No. It happened years ago."
He saw his parents, the monsters, smirking as he was called off of the stand, and Baron was called on.
And Python watched him lie.
"Have you ever faced abuse from the people sitting across from you?"
"No."
"Have you been sexually abused by the people in front of you, or any of their acquaintances?"
"…Never."
He watched the child tell a fake narrative of a happy household, while he shook and held his arms. He watched as the jury voted, as the judge deliberated, and as his parents sat smugly on their thrones.
He watched them rule in favor of his abusers and sentence him to prison. He watched Baron, trembling, went into the arms of those that hurt him. He was violently cuffed, and just managed to make eye contact with Gaylen one more time before he was taken into custody.
He couldn't save them. He couldn't do anything. He was telling the truth, but they believed the liars.
I'm so sorry Turtle… he thought, as they took him away to the last place he ever wanted to go.
He'd failed.
~.~.
District 3
-Ether Karimi, Friend of Job-
There was no such thing as sleeping in at the orphanage. As much as Mrs. Klein tried to get the young ones to understand that they can't play too loud in the mornings, they were always chatting and giggling and chasing each other around, their tiny footsteps thundering on the wooden floor and echoing through the thin walls that separated them.
As soon as he opened his eyes every morning, a heavy darkness weighed down his gut and practically immobilized him. Job wasn't here, and he never would be again. Ether kicked himself every day for not ever telling Job how much they meant to him. As more than a friend as well… He was sure that someone as vibrant and wise as Job would never have wanted to be with a short-fuse such as himself, but at least she would have known.
God. It hurt him so badly. When he first arrived here after being thrown out by his family for coming out as trans, he was always on the defense against everyone. Somehow, Job was able to break his defenses down without doing anything at all. There was always something special about them. Ether didn't know what it was, but he had always tried to emulate them in a way. He wasn't likable like Job was, but he did his best.
They were so damn close. And of all the bastards in that Arena, it should have been Job to come out of it. She was so loving and kind all the time. She would have done so many good things as a Victor. And yet, he decided so willingly to sacrifice himself to give that guy from Ten a chance. The scene constantly replayed in Ether's dreams. He was yelling at the television when it happened: Kaiser was basically dead, Job was comparably in much better shape, and yet… It still happened.
Ether spent a period of time angry at Job for what she'd done. How could she leave them all like that?! But at the same time…. He understood why. He knew there was nothing he could have done to stop her. It wasn't anyone's fault that it happened, it was just Job's intuition and decision. Ether honestly didn't understand that spiritual stuff they were so connected to, but he liked the brightness in her eyes when she was talking about it. She was enlightened in a way that Ether could never dream to be. All he could do was wake up every morning and try to follow in her footsteps however he could.
He wanted to die so badly… Maybe he should just do it before the Capitol could. They obviously showed that they have no mercy. And how badly could Ether have used some mercy. His eyes filled with tears that he blinked out. Dammit.
He managed to get up out of bed and get dressed. How could he possibly honor Job? He wasn't like them. He was just a scrappy young kid that had nothing…
Maybe if he just saw the piano one more time…
Ether greeted the others briefly and took his ration for breakfast before he was out the door, on his way to the old antique shop. The old man at the counter greeted him warmly. Ether was drawn back to the piano, when he saw someone else there, staring at it.
"Who are you?" he asked, suddenly defensive. "You know it's not for sale."
The other boy gave him a sharp once-over. "I know. I don't want it."
There was a silence. "Why are you here?" Ether asked.
"To see what those two saw in each other."
"…Which two?"
"Heiko. And that District partner of his." He looked over at Ether and stuck out a hand. "Name's Vern."
"Ether."
"Hm." They stared at the instrument in silence before Vern gave him a nod, turned around, and walked out of the store.
"You're a good friend of Job's right?" the voice was so gentle and quiet Ether almost missed it. The old man that owned the store walked over to where Ether was looking at the piano as the boy gave a small nod.
"I actually wanted to talk to you. And, well, friends of Job. It's about the piano."
Ether looked at the beautiful instrument and immediately frowned. "What about it?"
"Well, now that… you know…" his face became troubled. "…Nobody here is playing it anymore. I think that it should go somewhere that it will be played and loved greatly. Job wouldn't want it to rot here. But, I didn't want to just up and give it away if you had a better idea for it than I do. She even left some music in the seat… That child just couldn't be stopped." He gave a pleasant laugh and warm, sad smile. "I want to donate it to the local hospital. I believe that there are people there that need music in their lives. I think Job would have wanted it to go towards something like that. Do you?"
Ether's eyes filled with stubborn tears for the first time in months. "Yeah," he said. "I think that's what she would have wanted." But he wasn't ready to say goodbye to it. He didn't really subscribe to Job's spiritual beliefs, but there were so many happy memories that surrounded that instrument. At least it would continue to make happy memories for years to come.
"Good. I will call them tomorrow."
Ether gave him a sad smile. "Perfect." His eyes never left the instrument.
"You know, I do have a job opening here. Do you need some extra funds?"
"…Yes. I-I would love to. But I can never be as good as Job!" he said quickly.
Mr. Hauser had a sparkle in his eye. "I think she would be proud of you. What's your name, son?"
"Ether."
"Well, Ether, I look very much forward to getting to know you better. You'll start tomorrow."
"Of course!" Ether said with a salute. "I'm going to make you proud!"
~.~.
District 7
-Frax Gallen, Friend of Twyla-
Seeing her this way had broken his heart. He hadn't known her for very long, but he knew that she was so much more than what they had seen. She was a strong person that had so much wisdom. Frax loved to walk with her after work. He was happy to have been added to her team. She was a little abrasive, but really good at her job, and she was also a really good teacher to Frax for his first few days of learning the ropes. He always liked to walk back towards home with her and hear more of her story. Each time, he learned something new about her. She pretended to be a closed book, but Frax really thought she just needed someone to talk to. He tried to be that person for her when he could.
But apparently, something happened after the reaping that convinced Twyla that her sister's killer wasn't her stepfather as she was previously convinced… Her target was set on someone else. Harry Openshaw.
Frax vaguely recognized the name: Twyla had talked about him plenty, and he had even seen the guy around. He was from a fairly wealthy family as well, so it was hard to have never heard of him.
Perhaps if Twyla had come back alive, they would have pushed the case. But things seemed to go back to normal after she died. Harry attended her funeral, spoke words about her and her having delusions… He was accepted by her obviously grieving family. Something about it didn't sit right with Frax. Even when she was convinced it was her step-father, she wasn't nearly as frantic about getting the word out as she was now. There had to have been something that happened that made her this way.
If her own family was going to let the case go, they were going to be no help. Frax was sure that even if they wanted to try him, they wouldn't be able to without any evidence. It was a case from years ago.
Frax had a suspicion that tugged at his gut. He knew that it probably wasn't his business, as he and Twyla were work acquaintances at best, but… Well, he really, really liked her. He wanted to get to know her better. He wanted to take her out for an evening. She was smart, kind, rational, a hard worker, and she was totally gorgeous. But his crush aside, she obviously wanted to confide in him, for whatever reason. He wasn't going to let this slide. Frax wanted justice for her. And the fact that a killer is still walking free made him extremely uneasy.
He had a half day of work on that particular Friday, and he was going to go demand justice. He knew that there had to be a key to it somewhere, somehow.
He threw open the door to the Justice Building, put his head up, and walked in like he owned the place. It was unlike him to be this confident: but right now, that was what mattered. He was dressed in his best. The secretary at the front desk looked up at him.
"Can I help you sir?" she asked. She sounded bored.
"I need to see the tapes from the reaping of the 61st Games," he said, crossing his arms.
"I'm sorry sir, we can't give that information away to just anyone."
"Well…" he tried not to let the nerves show on his face as he spit out a complete and utter lie. "I am a lawyer representing the Frisk family on a case against Harry Openshaw, and I need the evidence."
She gave a long look. "I'll schedule you a meeting with the mayor to discuss this matter further. Come back tomorrow at three."
Frax blinked in surprise, before he stood back up straight and cleared his throat. "Of course. Tomorrow at three it is."
Well, I guess I'm calling out sick tomorrow…
.
All rise for the honorable Judge Hier. Frax's hands were shaking as he held the papers in them.
What the hell am I doing? I'm not a damn lawyer… Twyla and Annie's mother sat next to him, a nervous expression on her face that she was trying to hide as court was now in session.
Harry's lawyer spoke first. He told the story of sweet Twyla, a precious girl that went delusional after her sister's death and being reaped into the Games. He called Maddox to the stand, who handed off his little girl Brynn to a relative sitting next to him to give his side of the story.
Something in Frax snapped at seeing the innocent man get grilled with questions from someone who had obviously gone to law school. Frax so badly wanted to get justice, just so that Twyla could rest a little bit easier. He was called down from the stand.
"I now call Mr. Harry Openshaw to the stand."
Harry smirked as he sat in the seat, and Frax was nervous. Did he have an alibi? What if this was all misguided.
"Mr. Openshaw," Frax started, the eyes of the court all on him. "You say that you were home on the night of Anisette Frisk's murder."
"I was home cleaning the dishes."
"Then you will surely be able to explain this."
Frax put the tape into the Holo screen that was broadcast on the far wall of the court room. On it, was footage from his goodbyes to Twyla. Frisk watched again as Harry exposed himself for the dirt he really was.
"Oh, Twyla. You were so easy to play. When it happened, everyone was perfectly ready to assume that it was a suicide. There was only one person that wasn't so easily convinced. You." Frax wanted to punch his smirking little face in. "Somehow I had to convince her delusional, hysterical older sister that I wasn't to blame. So I set up this little plan. You were so ready to blame your step-father, that it didn't take much work to fixate your attention on him."
"Y-Your parents said you were in the house!" the desperation and hurt on Twyla's face broke his heart, again and again.
"They thought I was." He gives me a sinister grin, and I crawl away from him, my heart pounding. "By playing your sleuthing partner, I was able to bring your focus to one subject. And, well, you crazy little nut you, it didn't take very long for you to fixate on proving it was him. My work was done. I kept playing your game, though, because the more delusional they all think you are, the less and less they'll believe you when you're actually telling them the truth."
The court watched as Twyla lunged across to attack him, yelling, and Harry suddenly started to pretend he was being assaulted as the Peacekeepers entered the room.
Frax was disgusted at his last words to her, to someone that Frax cared so much about… "You're just going to die as crazy as you lived. Bye Twyla, have fun dying in the Games! Hey, why don't you tell Annie Boo I said hi when you see her again, eh?""
The court was stunned into silence. Frax looked back at Harry, whose mouth was agape, and now it was his turn to smirk.
"What would you like to say about that video admission of guilt, Mr. Openshaw?"
"How did you get your grimy hands on those videos!?" Harry roared, slamming his hands on the desk in front of him. "I told my father to have them burned! This is surely illegal!"
"I believe we've seen all that is necessary," the judge stated, bringing back order to the court. "That is, by all means, an admission of guilt. We rule that the defendant is guilty of the murder of Anisette Frisk. The jury will reconvene for a trial to determine length of sentence at a later date." She hit the gavel and court was dismissed. Hissing, Harry was pulled away in handcuffs.
Alisha, Twyla's mother, hurried over to her husband and young family, Frax shook hands with people that came over to congratulate him for a case well-made, and he liked the feeling of justice received.
A young woman, not older than 15, came over and glanced up at Frax with a frown. "How much are your services?" she asked.
Frax frowned down at her. "Well, I haven't really been charging… But-" I'm not a real lawyer.
"I…" she frowned. "I want to put my father in jail for abusing me." She frowned timidly. "My name is Kalina Whitmore. Please help me!"
Frax frowned at her. He couldn't let this slide, but if he was going to make a case for her, he was going to have to at least start studying law. How the hell was he going to get the funds necessary for law school!?
"I'll do what I can," he said finally. "Until then, you should come stay with me. You need not go back to that place." He had no idea how to fulfill this promise… Unless…
The Victory Tour was set a week from that day.
Well then, I'll have to start to make a case for him.
Frax walked him with Kalina, keeping a protective eye on her as she shied away from being seen. She stopped for a moment to duck on the way, much to his confusion…
He let her into his flat, his head racing with thoughts about what the hell he'd just agreed to.
"Mr. Gallen?" Frax looked over at the girl.
"It's not much, but here's a token of my thanks."
"What? You didn't have to do anything at all!"
She held out her hand to him, and in it was a beautiful flower that took Frax's breath away.
Camellia.
~.~.
A/N: Bit of a long one, but I just wanted to go ahead and put all the epilogues together. Thanks to everyone who submitted tributes, and if you are salty I kind of half-assed them compared to Masque, then sorry not sorry.I put them in order from least to most scream-worthy lol.
Also: subs for my next partial Deliver Us from Evil are open and there are still 3 tribute spots and 1 escort spot that need filling! Woo hoo!
Chapter Question: Which of these epilogues stood out the most to you and why?
Next chapter is the last one! I can't believe we're at the end!